This is the old Defra Website.
Current information about Defra’s role and responsibilities is at ww2.defra.gov.uk, although the new site may temporarily link to older information here that continues to be relevant and accurate.

Disposing of animal by-products: Fallen stock &
other animal carcases

Fallen
stock can no longer be buried or burnt in the open because of the risk
of disease spread through groundwater or air pollution. Instead, animals
must be taken to/ collected by an approved knacker, hunt kennel, incinerator
or renderer, either by private arrangement, or under the National Fallen
Stock Scheme (see below).

Fallen Cattle aged over 24 months

Rules requiring that cattle over 24 months of age, which have died or been killed on farm other than for human consumption, must be tested for BSE, were amended in January 2009 and two significant changes introduced:

the age limit of cattle to be tested was raised to those over 48 months

as part of the wider Cost and Responsibility Sharing (RCS) agenda, the free collection and disposal service for adult cattle ended and livestock keepers are now responsible for these costs

Fallen cattle aged over 48 months old must still undergo brainstem testing at approved sampling sites prior to disposal and it is the responsibility of the producer to ensure such animals are sent for testing. A list of approved plants can be found at:

To help farmers adjust to this change, Defra have made £2m available to the National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo) for one year to assist with the cost of collection and disposal.

National Fallen Stock Scheme

The National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo) was set up in
partnership with Government and the farming industry to run a National
Fallen Stock Scheme.

NFSCo is a not for profit organisation dedicated to delivering a valued service for the farming community. The Scheme is voluntary, and is designed to assist farmers and horse owners in complying with the Animal-By-Products Regulation by providing a reliable, low cost means of disposal of fallen stock.